Russia 'hopes for objective investigation into MH17'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was hopeful the investigation into a downed airliner over eastern Ukraine would be "objective and respect a presumption of innocence."

An armed pro-Russian separatist guards the site of MH17 crash. Credit: Reuters

"Only the honest, open participation of all those who have access to information about the crash can be regarded as normal. Anything else we will consider deceitful attempts to influence the investigation, putting presumption of innocence in doubt," he told a news conference.

Mr Lavrov also said Russia was hopeful that international monitors from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe could be deployed along the Russia-Ukraine border.